With crystal-clear waters, white-sand beaches, palm trees and lush green hills, surfing spots, incredible underwater life, and some of the best diving sites, Asia’s beautiful islands are close to being heaven on Earth. They are the perfect answer for those seeking moments of relaxation and freedom out of the hustle and bustle of cities. Featuring some of the best beaches in Asia, these are the region’s most stunning paradise islands.
The 15 Most Beautiful BeachesTo Visit in Asia
1. Bai Dai Beach, Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam
Phu Quoc is being fashioned as the "next Phuket" and will soon be turning in a pretty profit for the Vietnamese government and resort operators.
But if unspoiled charms are what you're after, there's still time for you to check out the island and find out why the government finds it bankable in the first place.
Phu Quoc is frequently touted one of Vietnam's most beautiful islands and the Bai Dai Beach, which squats in a Viet military area, is blissfully secluded with white sands and expansive vistas stretching to the horizon
2. El Nido, Philippines
El Nido, the northernmost tip of mainland Palawan, is a protected natural area and the largest marine sanctuary in the Philippines. Surrounded by jagged limestone cliffs, prehistoric caves, and thick mangrove forests, El Nido's nickname as "Philippines' Last Frontier" is somewhat well earned.
El Nido is a Philippine municipality on Palawan island. It’s known for white-sand beaches and coral reefs.
El Nido's powdery, white beaches and coastline open over Bacuit Bay, where many islets and small islands can be seen dotting the sea far into the horizon. Most of these islands are inhabited and rich in wildlife—and because they're only accessible by boat, they receive few visitors aside from divers. If you can get a ride to one of them, chances are you'll have the entire beach to yourself.
Cadlao Island, just across from El Nido, has one of the largest beaches in the area and a saltwater hidden inlet called Makaamo Lagoon. No beaches in the world, however, can beat the one found on Matinloc Island, which can only be accessed by swimming underwater through a gap on a steep rock wall—there's no other boat or land access to this stretch of sugary white sand.
3. Padang Padang, Bali – Indonesia
Looking for a beach holiday near Singapore? Bali should automatically come to mind. If you want a change from the beach scene in Kuta and Seminyak, then head to the dramatic beach of Padang Padang.
Padang Padang Beach, Indonesia
With funky guesthouses, surf shops and shacks serving up superior grilled seafood, you could well be in beach heaven. Come here on a Saturday night or a full moon and you’ll find yourself raving until dawn at one of the numerous beach parties in Bali.
4. Phi Phi Islands, - Thailand
This Thai island has some of the most popular budget beaches in South-East Asia. Blessed with exotic marine life, including leopard sharks and colorful coral reefs, Phi Phi Islands are a beautiful combination of stone and sand beaches and the warm Andaman Sea.
Phi Phi Islands, Krabi, Thailand
Visit Phi Phi Don for the Monkey Beach and take a longtail boat to the fantastic Maya Bay.
5. Cottesloe Beach, Perth – Australia
Family-friendly Cottesloe Beach is over 1000m long and is perfect for a family beach day. The beach is informally divided into three parts, so choose the part which most suits your vibe; surfers and kite surfers head to rocky South Cottesloe, whilst snorkellers hang out at Peter’s Pool.
Cottesloe Beach, Western Australia, Australia
The area is packed with activities from cycling and surfing, and free music is available at the Cottesloe Esplanade – perfect as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean.
6. Goa – India
Where to begin with Goa’s spectacularly scenic beaches? Goa has everything from adrenaline to adventure, solitude to sunbathing. Our picks are Mandrem Beach for honeymooners, Agonda Beach for relaxing, Baga Beach for parties and seafood, and of course, the former hippie enclave of Anjuna Beach for trance music and colorful flea markets.
7. Pom Pom Island, Malaysia
Located in the Celebes Sea, the Pom Pom Island has one of the world's highest marine biodiversity. Not only is this tiny island (so small that you can walk the entire island in about an hour) home to over 500 coral species, but it's also the nesting location for hawksbill sea turtles, a critically endangered species.
Pom Pom Island Resort - Borneo, Sabah, East Malaysia
Because the island is underdeveloped—in part because its remote location and small size has made development impractical—visitors often have the unparalleled serenity of the soft sand and blue seas to themselves and a perfect place to kick back and enjoy the sunset.
Pom Pom is famous for its spectacular diving, with a reef that reaches a depth of 130 meters deep in some areas. Strong currents make this a difficult destination for beginner divers—for experienced divers, however, this is diving paradise, with excellent visibility year-round and a wall dive covered in large sea fans and many photo opportunities
8. Kelingking Beach, Bali
A secluded beach surrounded by steep dense cliffs, Kelingking is another hidden getaway in Bali most tourists never get to see. Affectionately known as T-Rex Bay—as the green cliffs that extend over the water resemble the shape of a Tyrannosaurus Rex's head with its mouth wide open—this shore-break beach offers sweeping views over the deep blue waters.
T-Rex Beach, Kelingking Beach, Indonesia
Getting to Kelingking Beach requires a steep descent over slippery limestone rocks guarded by shaky bamboo rails—but the reward is an almost completely secluded golden beach where you can experience the power of the ocean up close and personal.
9. Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka
With its political woes apparently easing, Sri Lanka's efforts to become known as a tourism hotspot rather than a terrorism hotbed are no doubt aided by its world-class surf spots.
Surf Mecca Hikkaduwa, one of Sri Lanka's most popular beach destinations, has close to a dozen reef breaks that stop short of being life-threatening, and plenty of sea corals to keep snorkelers happy.
Hikkaduwa, Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka
To complete the Asian getaway experience, Hikkaduwa has sumptuously spicy local fare and Buddhist cultural spectacles for vacationers to write home about.
10. Weekuri Lake, Sumba, Indonesia
Sumba is also home to an ancestral megalithic culture, whose architecture and rites bring the rare visitors straight into another time and state of consciousness
The often-overlooked island of Sumba, in the East Nusa Tenggara Archipelago, is one of the most beautiful and intense places we’ve ever seen. It’s basically completely surrounded by white sand beaches, interrupted only by jagged cliffs, making the scenery more dramatic.
Weekuri Lake, Sumba
It’s really hard to tell which beach is the best in Sumba, many don’t even have names, and even when you happen to visit the most famous ones, you’re more likely to be the only human there, or just meet some fishermen.
The Weekuri lake, though, stands out for its peculiarity. It’s a seawater lagoon, whose water is so clear you can basically see all the bustling underwater life from just above the water. It gives that sense of unreal, like being in a dream, but honestly, the whole island gives that.
11. Jeju Island, South Korea
Considered the Hawaii of South Korea, Jeju Island is a long-time favorite amongst South Korean travelers and honeymooners. Iho Beach stands out in the region with its combination of grey and yellow sand. It is a shallow beach, perfect for a good swim. Downtown Jeju is also a great spot for people watching and having a beer at one of the numerous bars.
Jeju Island, South Korea
This picture showcases Seongsan Ilchulbong in Jeju Island, South Korea. The picture shows a still volcano from the inland, with a volcanic black beach and lush greenery; a place stripped of all human life. A gigantic cliff crashes into the sea and creates a gorgeous interplay between sky, land, and seaside. The waves crash onto the side of the cliff and the sky is completely clear, with no obstructions and no clouds. A beautiful, sunny day in Jeju Island, the biggest volcanic island of South Korea. The countryside and the scenery inspire adventure in this amazing natural park full of beauty
12. Ngapali Beach, Myanmar
One of Myanmar's top beach destinations, the stunning Ngapali Beach is a perfect retreat that hasn't been despoiled by tourist bars and overdevelopment.
There’s not a lot of places where you can expect to see pristine clean water as the beaches in Ngapali. I had the chance to revisit Ngapali, one of the best beaches in Myanmar
13. Baros Island, Maldives
Baros Island is part of the North Malé Atoll and home to the luxury Baros Maldives hotel. The peaceful, stunning beaches circling the perimeter are perfect for relaxing and sunbathing.
Baros Maldives
With facilities such as a dive center (courtesy of the hotel), tourists can make the most of the clear, warm ocean lapping the island. Or guests can simply submit to pure relaxation through the variety of spa treatments, complimentary morning yoga classes, and infinity pools offered by the resort.
14. Koh Rong, Cambodia
Little development, unspoiled nature, rustic accommodation, and a number of stunning white-sand beaches make up one of Asia’s most divine islands: Koh Rong. Located an hour away from Sihanoukville in Cambodia, there are no roads on the island and limited lighting at night.
Paradise Beach in Koh Rong, Cambodia
Under starlit skies, it becomes possible to spot bioluminescent plankton in the sea. Stunning corals and exotic fish also surround the beautiful island.
15. Bacuit Archipelago, Philippines
Bacuit Archipelago, Philippines
The Bacuit archipelago, which comprises of over 45 islets, is recognized as one of the Philippines' crowning geological wonders for its sheer karst cliffs and sensational limestone rock formations. The whitewashed shores in the region -- notably the excellent beaches at Cadlao Island -- are also great places to get your adrenalin fix, be it snorkeling, kayaking, trekking, cliff-climbing or diving